10 Perfect Christmas Shopping Getaways

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland(left) brings more than 2 million visitors a year to the town that calls itself "Michigan's Little Bavaria" (about 15 miles southeast of Saginaw). Bronner's is the self-proclaimed world's largest Christmas store, with more than 6,000 types of ornaments alone. But there's more to this pretty community of 4,900 than the giant year-round holiday store.

Chicago

In Daley Plaza, surrounded by the Loop's high-rises, Christkindlmarket Chicago looks wildly out of place -- and that's part of the annual event's appeal. Inspired by a four-century-old festival in Nuremberg, Germany, the month-long Christkindlmarket features German tastes and trinkets. Bundled shoppers mill about an impromptu village of 50-plus tents and wooden stalls, sipping gluhwein from boot-shape mugs and listening to Lederhosen-clad musicians belt holiday tunes.

Branson, Missouri

Missouri's Silver Dollar City theme park hosts one of the most sparkly, lively holiday celebrations anywhere, with four million lights, a five-story musical Christmas tree and an evening holiday parade. Shoppers can browse the handiwork of 100 resident crafters, who make blown-glass ornaments, copper art, custom jewelry, pottery, leather crafts and more.

Bloomington, Minnesota: Mall of America

More than 40 million people visit the Mall of America, just south of Minneapolis, each year. A little planning before your outing will ensure you're not overwhelmed by this shopping mecca's 520 stores and 50 restaurants.

• Start at home. Go to the mall's website for information on store locations, hours, parking, events and promotions—and a handy coupon book.

• Park at the top. You're more likely to find spots near Macy's on the west side. Head to the top of the garage; those spots fill up last. Once you've parked, text yourself the location.

• Walk in circles. Save time and energy by browsing with a plan: Shop in circles, starting at a store you'll remember. Then walk around the entire floor, returning to that store before heading to the next floor.

Kansas City

Kansas City makes most lists of iconic holiday destinations thanks to historic Spanish-style Country Club Plaza, which comprises 15 blocks of stores and restaurants outlined in 80 miles of holiday lights (decorating begins in August; the lights go on at Thanksgiving).

Galena, Illinois

Like ornaments on a giant Christmas tree, fanciful 1800s homes and red brick shops decorate this town amid the hills of northeast Illinois' Galena River Valley (85 miles west of Rockford). Garlands of lights outline gables, steeples and rooftops. Old-fashioned trolleys depart for Yuletide tours, and Santa greets visitors on weekends.

More than 100 stores and galleries, as well as a selection of restaurants, line Main Street. Fritz and Frites serves a full menu of both French favorites and traditional German dishes, while Fried Green Tomatoes offers fresh Italian fare such as a smoked Gouda-Gorgonzola mac and cheese with sausage. Best bets for an overnight include the luxury suites and cottages at the Goldmoor Inn or lodging at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa.

Lebanon, Ohio

Lebanon rests in pretty, snow-dusted farm country 30 minutes north of Cincinnati. This Yankee-influenced town has all the ingredients of the perfect holiday shopping weekend—dozens of stores, inns and food worth throwing away the calorie counts. The downtown, with narrow brick and stone storefronts, looks as if it could have been drawn from the pages of a Dickens tale.

Nashville, Indiana

The winter holidays are one of the busiest seasons in Nashville, which has fewer than 1,000 people but more than 150 shops, galleries and artists' studios (60 miles south of Indianapolis). The town, in scenic Brown County, has been an artists' mecca since the late 1800s. Today's visitors can make their own Christmas gifts at holiday workshops or shop for locally made art at the Brown County Craft Gallery.